Tradition: Belgian Mythology
Alternative Names: Gilles van Chin’s Dragon
Category: Dragon

The Myth

A fearsome dragon lived in the dangerous marshes of Wasmes, where it made its lair in a cave. The beast had captured a young girl and carried her into its den, holding her prisoner there.

In 1133, Gilles van Chin came to Wasmes and confronted the dragon. The battle lasted for hours, continuing until evening. In one telling of the tale, the imprisoned girl managed to help Gilles by giving him a thorny branch. He used it against the dragon, and the branch became lodged in the creature’s mouth.

At last Gilles struck the dragon through the heart and killed it. He then cut off its head and carried the monstrous trophy to Count Baldwin. The rescued girl was brought back to the village in triumph, freed from the creature that had held her captive in the marshes.

Sources

“Gilles van Chin.” Wikipedia, de vrije encyclopedie (Dutch Wikipedia). Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 30, 2026. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilles_van_Chin